Indicative annual fees are based on a full year full time load (80 units). Find out more about fees
Program handbook
Description
The Master of Laws is a professionally-focused program that will expose students to new perspectives and deep analyses, ensuring high quality teaching and learning experiences. Graduates of the program will be equipped with advanced knowledge and skills, positioning them to engage in further education, research, and professional development in Australia and across the world. The program offers students the opportunity to complete one of six specialisations including Criminology, Environmental Law, Employment and Labour Relations Law, Dispute Resolution, International Law and Law in Practice. The specialisation of Law in Practice is only available to students who completed their Law degree outside of Australia.
Program learning outcomes
On successful completion of the program students will have:
- Cognitive skills such as critical judgement and critical thinking in the learning and application of law to policy, practice and academic pursuits
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills to recognise, define, analyse, and solve complex legal problems, and to generate and evaluate complex ideas at an abstract level
- Advanced written and oral communication skills to communicate objective or persuasive conclusions to specialist and non-specialist audiences
- Knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to the law, and the ability to undertake substantial research-based projects.
- Skills to understand and contribute to changes in professional practice or scholarship, and demonstrate an ability to apply their knowledge and skills to new situations
- Decision-making skills that incorporate ethical, social and global issues
- Demonstrated high level of personal autonomy and accountability
Details
| Information correct as at | Apr 25, 2024 3:43 am |
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| Program code | 12333 |
| AQF level | Level 9 Masters Degree (Coursework) |
| Locations and UAC codes |
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| Mode of delivery |
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| Duration |
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| Term type | Semesters |
| Fees |
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| Relevant University rules and policies |
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| CRICOS Code | 079533G |
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Admission information
Admission requirements
Entry into the Master of Laws (LLM) will be available to applicants via the following admission pathways:
Law Pathway
To be eligible for admission to the LLM via the Law Pathway applicants must hold one of the following qualifications:
- Bachelor of Law (Honours) degree;
- Graduate Certificate in Law or Legal Practice following the completion of a 3 year Bachelor of Laws degree;
- Graduate Diploma in Law or Legal Practice following the completion of a 3 year Bachelor of Laws degree;
- Combined Law degree with a duration of 5 years where 3 years of study was undertaken primarily in law;
- Bachelor of Laws degree with a duration of 4 years where 3 years of study was undertaken primarily in law;
- Bachelor of Laws graduate entry with a duration of 3 years undertaken primarily in law;
- Bachelor of Laws with a duration 3 years undertaken primarily in law and have completed a minimum of two years relevant work experience in a legal environment. Applications will be assessed by the Program Convenor through the consideration of a statement outlining the relevant work experience. Transcripts and detailed CVs must be provided to the University;
- An equivalent Bachelor degree or Bachelor (Honours) degree with a minimum 3 years of study undertaken primarily in Law. Applications will be assessed by the Program Convenor to determine eligibility; or
- Completed study to the satisfaction of an “admission of Law Body” (similar to LPAB*) that has qualified the student for admission to practice law in a common law jurisdiction.
*Legal Profession Admission Board
Non-Law Pathway
To be eligible for admission to the LLM via the Non-Law Pathway applicants must hold one of the following qualifications:
- A Bachelor Honours Degree or postgraduate qualification in a discipline other than Law or Legal Practice, and at least one year relevant work experience* (or at least two years' full-time legal study completed as part of a Law degree at a Bachelor level or above); or
- A Bachelor Degree and at least two years' relevant work experience* (or at least two years' full time legal study completed as part of a Law degree at a Bachelor level or above).
*Relevant areas of work experience include law, education, social science, psychology, science, engineering and surveying, architecture, medicine, legal studies, business, commerce, human resources and management, industrial relations, management, marketing, environmental science, environmental resource management, environmental planning, human and physical geography, accounting, economics, or finance.
English Language Requirements
All Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the University’s English proficiency requirement. Further information regarding English language proficiency requirements can be found at the English Language Proficiency for Admission Policy here.
- IELTS Overall Minimum: 7
- IELTS Sub Test Minimum: 6.5
Credit transfer
If you wish to apply for credit for studies completed at another institution, or if you are changing programs within the University and wish to transfer your credit to the new program, visit the University's credit website for more information on applying for credit.
Academic requirements for program completion
Total units required
80 units
Program duration
1 year full-time or part-time equivalent up to 4 years maximum.
International students studying this program on campus are required to enrol full time to comply with their student visa requirements and complete their study in the standard minimum program duration. International students requiring enrolment advice should review the program plan corresponding to the semester and year of commencement and can contact their Program Advisor at ProgramAdvice@newcastle.edu.au
Program requirements
Students are required to complete 80 units of coursework as prescribed by their relevant admission pathway:
Law Pathway
Students admitted via the Law Pathway must complete the following:
- 80 units from Course List A; OR
- One specialisation plus 40 units from Course List A.
Non-Law Pathway
Students admitted via the Non-Law Pathway must complete the following:
- Compulsory course LAWS6047 Legal System of Australia; AND
- 70 units from Course List B; OR
- One specialisation plus 30 units from Course List B.
Specialisations
- Criminology
- Environmental Law
- Employment and Labour Relations Law
- Dispute Resolution
- International Law
- Law in Practice. This specialisation is only available to students who completed their Law degree outside of Australia.*
*Students who have obtained their undergraduate law degree outside Australia must choose LAWS6047 Legal System of Australia. Students who have completed their overseas degree in a sufficiently comparable common law system or have completed a substantial number of common law courses as part of their overseas degree may apply for a waiver of this requirement, which will be decided on a case-by-case basis by the Program Convenor.
Program planner
Current students program planner
Current students can plan their program using Program Planner.
Prospective student degree planner
If you're a prospective student considering studying this degree take a look at My Degree Planner to see what your study journey will look like.
Program structure
Students can plan their program using Program Planner. It is recommended students review the program handbook in conjunction with using Program Planner.
Advanced course filters
Courses that are currently unavailable are hidden by default. You can show them by adjusting the advanced course filters above, or clicking the 'show all' links below each section.
Course List A (Law pathway)
Students choose 80 units from course list A; OR complete one specialisation and 40 units from course list A. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Code | Title | Term / Location | Units |
| CRIM6000 | Criminology in Context: Miscarriages of Justice | Not currently offered | 10 units |
| LAWS6013 | Public International Law |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6016 | Taxation Law |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6018 | Commercial Law |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6019 | International Human Rights Law | Not currently offered | 10 units |
| LAWS6020 | Environmental Law |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6021 | Advanced Criminal Law |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6023 | Jurisprudence | Not currently offered | 10 units |
| LAWS6024 | Employment Law |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6025 | Environmental/Natural Resources Law Clinic | Not currently offered | 10 units |
| LAWS6028 | Criminal Law Practice & Procedure |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6029 | Social Justice/Public Interest Clinic | Not currently offered | 10 units |
| LAWS6032 | Advocacy Skills |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6035 | Competition Law and Policy | Not currently offered | 10 units |
| LAWS6037 | International Environment Law and Policy | Not currently offered | 10 units |
| LAWS6038 | Law and Economics of Climate Change |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6041 | Sentencing: Global Theory, Law and Practice | Not currently offered | 10 units |
| LAWS6043 | Advanced Legal Research Project |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6046 | International Air and Space Law | Not currently offered | 10 units |
| LAWS6047 | Legal System of Australia |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6050 | Commercial Dispute Resolution |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6081 | Advanced Taxation Law | Not currently offered | 10 units |
| LAWS6085 | International Trade Law | Not currently offered | 10 units |
| LAWS6086 | Intellectual Property Law |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6087 | Internet Law |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6090 | Health Law |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6091 | Special Interest Topic |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6092 | International Clinical Legal Externship |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6093 | International Study Experience | Not currently offered | 10 units |
| LAWS6098 | Equal Opportunity Law |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6103 | International Arbitration |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6104 | Human Rights and Climate Change-Induced Human Displacement |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6105 | Expert Evidence |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6106 | Advanced Communication Skills |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6107 | Mediation Skills and Theory |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6108 | Corporate Power and Corporate Accountability: Pathways to Socially Responsible Business | Not currently offered | 10 units |
| LAWS6109 | Restorative Justice |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6110 | Australian Consumer Law | Not currently offered | 10 units |
| LAWS6111 | Dispute Resolution |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6112 | Food and Wine Law | Not currently offered | 10 units |
| LAWS6114 | Negotiation in a Legal Context |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6115 | Criminal Trial Courts - Theory and Practice | Not currently offered | 10 units |
| LAWS6116 | Legal Innovation and Design | Not currently offered | 10 units |
| LAWS6119 | Renewable Energy Law Clinic | Not currently offered | 10 units |
| LAWS6122 | Principles of Construction Law | Not currently offered | 10 units |
Specialisations
Criminology
| Compulsory | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Complete the following compulsory courses. | |||
| Code | Title | Term / Location | Units |
| CRIM6000 | Criminology in Context: Miscarriages of Justice | Not currently offered | 10 units |
| LAWS6109 | Restorative Justice |
| 10 units |
| Course List | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Complete 20 units from the following course list. | |||
| Code | Title | Term / Location | Units |
| CRIM6050 | Cybercrime and Security I | Not currently offered | 10 units |
| CRIM6051 | Cybercrime and Security II | Not currently offered | 10 units |
| LAWS6019 | International Human Rights Law | Not currently offered | 10 units |
| LAWS6021 | Advanced Criminal Law |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6043 | Advanced Legal Research Project |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6091 | Special Interest Topic |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6105 | Expert Evidence |
| 10 units |
| PSYC6000 | Foundations of Applied Psychology 1 |
| 10 units |
| SOCA6590 | Environmental Justice |
| 10 units |
Dispute Resolution
| Course List | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Complete 40 units from the following course list. | |||
| Code | Title | Term / Location | Units |
| LAWS6050 | Commercial Dispute Resolution |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6103 | International Arbitration |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6106 | Advanced Communication Skills |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6107 | Mediation Skills and Theory |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6109 | Restorative Justice |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6111 | Dispute Resolution |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6114 | Negotiation in a Legal Context |
| 10 units |
Environmental Law
| Course List | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Complete 40 units from the following course list. | |||
| Code | Title | Term / Location | Units |
| LAWS6020 | Environmental Law |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6025 | Environmental/Natural Resources Law Clinic | Not currently offered | 10 units |
| LAWS6037 | International Environment Law and Policy | Not currently offered | 10 units |
| LAWS6038 | Law and Economics of Climate Change |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6046 | International Air and Space Law | Not currently offered | 10 units |
| LAWS6104 | Human Rights and Climate Change-Induced Human Displacement |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6108 | Corporate Power and Corporate Accountability: Pathways to Socially Responsible Business | Not currently offered | 10 units |
| LAWS6112 | Food and Wine Law | Not currently offered | 10 units |
| LAWS6113 | Law for Startups | Not currently offered | 10 units |
Employment and Labour Relations Law
| Course List | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Complete 40 units from the following course list. | |||
| Code | Title | Term / Location | Units |
| LAWS6024 | Employment Law |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6098 | Equal Opportunity Law |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6105 | Expert Evidence |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6106 | Advanced Communication Skills |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6107 | Mediation Skills and Theory |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6109 | Restorative Justice |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6111 | Dispute Resolution |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6114 | Negotiation in a Legal Context |
| 10 units |
International Law
| Course List | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Complete 40 units from the following course list. | |||
| Code | Title | Term / Location | Units |
| LAWS6013 | Public International Law |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6019 | International Human Rights Law | Not currently offered | 10 units |
| LAWS6037 | International Environment Law and Policy | Not currently offered | 10 units |
| LAWS6038 | Law and Economics of Climate Change |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6046 | International Air and Space Law | Not currently offered | 10 units |
| LAWS6085 | International Trade Law | Not currently offered | 10 units |
| LAWS6092 | International Clinical Legal Externship |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6093 | International Study Experience | Not currently offered | 10 units |
| LAWS6103 | International Arbitration |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6104 | Human Rights and Climate Change-Induced Human Displacement |
| 10 units |
Law in Practice
| Course List | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Students must complete 40 units from the courses listed below. The remaining 40 units can be chosen from course list A or the Law in Practice specialisation course list. | |||
| Code | Title | Term / Location | Units |
| LAWS6005 | Property |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6006 | Constitutional Law |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6007 | Administrative Law |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6008 | Civil Dispute Resolution |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6009 | Evidence |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6010 | Company Law |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6011 | Professional Conduct |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6012 | Equity and Trusts |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6025 | Environmental/Natural Resources Law Clinic | Not currently offered | 10 units |
| LAWS6029 | Social Justice/Public Interest Clinic | Not currently offered | 10 units |
| LAWS6120 | Torts I |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6121 | Torts II |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6130 | Criminal Law and Procedure |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6140 | Contracts I |
| 10 units |
| LAWS6141 | Contracts II |
| 10 units |
Course List B (Non Law Pathway)
Additional information
Through the Pathways and Academic Learning Support Centre, students can access a free suite of NUPrep preparation courses as well as Academic Learning Support.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can draw on the assistance and support provided by the Indigenous Student Support and Development service through the Wollotuka Institute.
International students
All International Students enrolled in the program will be provided with an orientation to familiarise them with the rules, expectations, facilities and services offered by the University. Please visit our International Students website to find out more about the support services available to international students.
Additional support
AccessAbility provides advice and reasonable adjustments to Students with a medical or health condition or disability. If you require adjustments to undertake your program, contact the Student Support Advisors - AccessAbility before semester or early in the semester. They will work with the College or School to ensure that this happens in a timely manner.
Please note: All students must fulfil the inherent requirements of the programs and courses they are undertaking. While reasonable adjustments can be made, these adjustments cannot compromise academic integrity. It is the student's responsibility to check all the requirements of courses, and consider the effects of any medical condition or disability on their ability to complete course requirements. More information is available online.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.